The package, targeted to graphic artists, bloggers, Web designers, small photo studios, and advanced amateurs is designed to simplify the process of assembling multiple images into new compositions.

The program facilitates quick composition, lets users add complex transparency to images, and can render results to specific measurements in a non-destructive process. The software can export images and transparency information, together or separately, to multiple image formats. You can apply blends, transitions, and transparency in real time and resize, zoom, pan, and rotate your images. The software can scale a composition to any measurement at any resolution, the company says.

The package contains more than 25 configurable blend generators, which support a large number of blends, including knock-out, chroma key, and 3D blends. Interactive guides help users arrange individual images. Although cf/x alpha is not an image editor, it features more than 60 real-time effects—such as color correction and annotation.

The company is developing a Pro and a Home version of cf/x alpha, in addition to this version. The Pro version, which will add AppleScript support and high-end processing, is targeted to larger enterprises with established workflows and automated processes. It will be released later this year. The home version, targeted to non-professional hobbyists, will offer the same basic functionality as the original version, but with a more limited scope. It is scheduled for release in August.

Pricing for cf/x alpha is $229 for a single license. A fully functional copy of the software is available from the company's Website to try free of charge. cf/x alpha runs on a PowerPC or Intel Mac with 2GB of RAM. It works with OS X 10.5 or later.

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